It might actually be the weather that's getting you down

A shift in barometric pressure could cause headaches and affect your mood

Author: George SharpePublished 7th Jul 2021

The phrase 'maybe the weather's getting you down' could have some truth to it, for many of us.

Barometric pressure has dropped in the last few days, as rain makes it's way across England.

Lots of us won't notice a difference, but it could lead others, including those who experience migraines, to feel a lot worse.

Standard air pressure at sea-level is around 1013.25 millibars. Here in Dorset it's dipped to 999 mbar over the weekend.

As the air pressure changes it causes chemical and electrical changes in your brain that are thought to irritate your nerves, according to the NHS.

There's not a lot you can do about it, other than monitor the weather and keep your preferred brand of painkiller around.

It can be a particular trigger for those of us who experience migraines.

A spokesperson for the Migraine Trust said:

"Many people experience an increase in migraine attacks with changes in weather and high air pressure. We would recommend anyone who is experiencing an increase in attacks to take medication for them which they can get from their GP or a pharmacist.

"We would also recommend trying to stay cool and hydrated and sticking to their routine as much as possible as the migraine brain doesn't like change".

You can find out more information about headaches and their causes on the NHS website.

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